Skip to main content

Enhanced Driver License (EDL/ID) Privacy Information

Data we are required to share with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the purposes of border crossing is limited to the full name (first, middle, and last); date of birth; gender; citizenship; digital image (photograph); travel document type (e.g., EDL/ID); issuing jurisdiction, expiration date; optical character read (OCR) identifier; and RFID tag numbers.

By law, we cannot share this information with anyone except in compliance with the Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), 18 U.S.C. §§ 2721-2725.

PURPOSE: The primary purpose for soliciting the information is to denote citizenship, identity, and entitlement to the issuance of a Vermont Enhanced Driver’s License or Identification Card (EDL/ID). This information is shared with CBP for the purpose of verifying the document when a traveler presents his or her Vermont EDL/ID when applying for admission to the United States at a land or sea port of entry. CBP’s use, retention, and sharing of EDL/ID information are explained in the Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) and System of Records Notices (SORNs) prepared by CBP as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) implementation. These include the WHTI Land and Sea Final Rule PIA, Use of Radio Frequency Identification Technology for Border Crossings PIA, and the Procedures for Processing Travel Documents at the Border PIA. These documents are available through the DHS Privacy Office and online in the Privacy Office section of the DHS website, www.dhs.gov.

CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION: With the exception of your Social Security Number, you are not legally required to provide the information requested on this form. However, failure to do so may result in the DMV’s refusal to accept your application or result in the denial of a Vermont EDL/ID.

RFID Statement

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a wireless technology that stores and retrieves data remotely on devices. An RFID system typically includes an RFID tag with a microchip and antenna embedded in a card or other item, an RFID reader with an antenna, and a database. The Vermont EDL/ID is embedded with a passive RFID tag, which means it does not have a power source. DHS selected vicinity RFID technology for use in EDL/IDs because it facilitates cross-border travel by allowing documents to be read automatically, with minimal action by travelers as they drive toward the inspection booth at a land port. Vicinity RFID allows CBP officers to quickly read the advanced information on all travelers presenting RFID-enabled cards and allows for automated watch list queries. In addition, multiple cards can be read simultaneously with vicinity RFID, allowing an entire car of people to be processed at once.

The RFID tag embedded in your EDL/ID does not contain any Personally Identifiable Information (PII), just a unique reference number that means something only to the secure CBP system. Tampering with, or deactivating the RFID tag will invalidate the EDL/ID for purposes of a border crossing.

An RFID reader at the border crossing sends a signal to the tag in your card and collects the reference number so it can be matched to CBP’s records to verify the information printed on the front of your card. Data encryption, secure networks, and firewalls protect the information while it is being retrieved from the database. Vicinity RFID tags can be read up to 30 feet from the reader. For added security, we will provide an RF-attenuating security sleeve to protect the RFID tag from being read when you are not using it for border-crossing purposes.

Generally, if the RFID document is in a sleeve, held close to the body, or is blocked by anything composed of metal or water, it cannot be read. While such a risk of the RFID tag being read without your knowledge is minimal, education and the use of a security sleeve help protect the traveling public from unauthorized reads.

We strongly recommend that you store the EDL/ID in this sleeve to prevent it from being read without your knowledge.

The use of RFID technology is but one part of the border crossing process. If you have concerns about using an RFID-enabled EDL/ID, we encourage you to obtain a traditional passport to use as a cross-border travel document.

Other uses of social security numbers

The disclosure of your social security or federal identification number is mandatory, is solicited by the authority granted by 42 U.S.C. §405(c)(2)(C) and/or 666(a)(13), and will be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles in the administration of motor vehicle, tax and child support laws, to identify individuals affected by such laws.

Office of Child Support

The Department of Motor Vehicles shares information with the Vermont Office of Child Support. If you are certified to be in arrears of child support payments, you are ineligible to receive an EDL/ID. If this applies to you, you are required to contact the Vermont Office of Child Support (800.786.3214) to make payment arrangements before applying for an EDL/ID.

DMV has no information concerning individuals' child support obligations. Please direct any questions to the Vermont Office of Child Support.

Download the PDF form to your computer and then open it with Adobe Reader

Related Forms & Information
Title Sort descending ID# Description
DPPA User Agreement
VG-118
To request user access to certain records for the purpose of obtaining personal information. This form is typically used for frequent requesters.